Encourage and Coach Our People in These Qualities

In a leadership coaching conversation, the owner of a successful business which continues to expand to new levels shared that when she hires a new employee, and also when she looks to promote someone, there are particularly important qualities in her selection process, e.g., the person:

• Truly wants to be successful herself and as a team
• Is innovative and is always looking to make things better for the business, and is a problem solver
• Is always looking to grow, develop and be better herself; she is a lifelong learner
• Is an attentive and intentional listener, as the owner herself tries to be
• Is a doer, does not wait to be told
• Has the quiet confidence to contribute her ideas
• Is a great teammate, is always encouraging and helpful to her colleagues
• Is proactive in taking the initiative to help customers and clients
• Works hard, will go the extra mile when needed, while also being disciplined about being there for her children and aging parents
• Is totally reliable, can be counted on
• Always asks what success looks like to assure clarity of the owner’s expectations, needs and wants for her and her team
• Brings an enthusiasm and positive energy to the business, the spirit of our people, and our organizational culture

These qualities are valued in any business, be it a large company, medium-sized, even small.

As leaders, let’s encourage our people to make things better and to contribute their ideas. We want ideas to flow up, which is far more beneficial than top-down.

Let’s realize that everyone wants to do a good job and be successful, that is if they feel a sense of family, that we as a leader, an executive, a business owner, or simply their immediate manager, genuinely care about them, their success, and their wellbeing.